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Bullying takes many forms, and can even be directed at bullies themselves.

That's the view of Lisa Barrow, an assistant professor at the Goodman School of Business at Brock University, who's researched bullying in the workplace.

While Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is an unsympathetic figure and his confrontational behavior often outrageous, Toronto councillors have also come short, she argues.

Top of the list are examples of councillors turning their backs to Ford while he speaks, a clear act of bullying.

She sees this behavior as "mobbing", where a group takes repetitive action to devalue and demean a person.

"My position is bullying, whether it comes from a person or group of people should not be tolerated," said Barrow, who has also written two books on the topic.

Barrow acknowledges Ford has a bully reputation from his aggressive interactions with people.

But she argues the return response should be "positive reinforcement; encouraging him to embrace behaviors that are more positive."

"What has occurred is the council has begun to bully him. They are not valuing him as an individual, and not respecting him," she said. "It almost seems as if they are trying to harm him in some way, perhaps politically."

She adds that based on her research, bullies "want a lot of control or power. Typically, when their control or power is challenged, their bullying escalates."

The lashing-out comes from efforts to avoid losing that power: "And I believe that this may be happening with … Ford."

Council should have had a plan in place "to address behaviors in place … and a systematic approach to addressing the issue," Barrow argues.

"We want to reach out and provide some type of support for them. Not that we condone the behavior … you definitely have to hold the bully accountable.

"But you have to do it in a way that upholds the dignity of everyone involved."

Bullying expert Ted Mouradian points out Ford has shown similar behavior toward council in Monday's drunk-driving gestures to one councilor, standing in front of another intimidatingly and blowing another a kiss — all unwanted and vexatious actions.

"Rob Ford and actually his brother (Toronto councillor) Doug Ford both would fall in the category of bully," said Mouradian, a Niagara-based workplace relations consultant with Canadian and international clients.

"It is all about them. They have not taken responsibility for their actions, but keep deflecting it on others," said Mouradian, president of the 2 Percent Factor Inc.

Toronto Council's behavior in return seems generally responsible, he said. Invariably, councillors are urging Ford to get professional help and take time off to deal with his problems. Ford has routinely ignored them.